Te Poi First World War memorial

Te Poi First World War memorial

Te Poi war memorial hall

Te Poi memorial names

Te Poi memorial hall (ww2)

Te Poi memorial names

The Te Poi First World War Memorial Hall was opened on 11 August 1922. A tablet was placed on the exterior wall listing the names of two men who had given their lives (S. Goddard, T. Hargreaves) and seven others who had also served.

After the Second World War, a new hall was built next to the original hall. The foundation stone was laid on 21 November 1953 and the hall was officially opened on 16 November 1957. The Te Poi Second World War roll of honour, displayed inside, lists the names of eight men who gave their lives (F. Abbott, S. Atutahi, R.H. Bell, T.I. Harray, F. Hobden, E.G. Stokes, M. Swap, A.G. Thomas) and 52 others who also served. Since 2019 the hall has been closed as an earthquake risk.

See Te Poi and Selwyn, 1912-1987: A History of the Schools and District, Te Poi, 1987, pp. [i], 16, 64, 68; Joan Stanley, Down at the Hall: Celebrating Matamata County Halls, Matamata, 2009; 'Rarity of Waikato war memorial highlighted', Waikato Times, 15/1/2016.

Community contributions

2 comments have been posted about Te Poi First World War memorial

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The Vale

Posted: 07 Aug 2019

7.8.2019
A small meeting was held in Matamata 2 days ago to discuss the future of the Te Poi war Memorial hall..
As you can see in the photos above it is not just a hall, it is a monument to honour those who sacrificed their life and for the freedom of this Nation.
The Matamata D.C.C. Painted a grim picture as to the condition of this Monument and the cost to restore this Monument in memory of those who gave their blood.
Soon the Council will send a yes or no voting form to the the local residents outlining as many negative aspects I suspect to obtain a yes destroy vote.

Please let history know that I am verhementlly against the destruction of this monument even though I have only lived in Te Poi for 57 years and was born in Europe were people restore Monuments at all cost.

To my knowledge no grants from any source or donations or support from ex residents etc have been considered.

Theo Vale

Esther Bell

Posted: 28 Sep 2010

History of this hall can be found in "Down at the Hall: Celebrating Matamata Country Halls" by Joan Stanley published by Matamata Historical Society Inc. 2009